MARTIN STEYN OF GOOLE JAILED FOR STALKING
Martin Steyn, aged 48, subjected a woman to a series of threatening messages, including statements such as “You will get what you deserve,” “I want you to die,” and “Just fall down dead,” according to Brooke Morrison, the prosecutor at York Crown Court.On one occasion, he went so far as to reach through her letterbox while she was inside her home.
Between January 15 and March 10 (2023), Steyn was on bail under strict conditions not to approach or contact the woman, either at her residence in Selby or at her workplace.
These restrictions were part of his ongoing campaign of harassment.
Recorder Dapinder Singh KC described his conduct as having terrorized his former partner completely.
Hailing from Eastgate, Goole, Steyn denied charges of stalking (two counts), malicious communications, and assault.
However, he was found guilty of these offences after a trial at York Magistrates' Court.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage.
The magistrates deemed the case too serious for their jurisdiction and sent it to York Crown Court.
There, Steyn was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and was issued with a five-year restraining order aimed at protecting the woman.
Defense lawyer Neal Kutte explained to the court that Steyn’s offending was linked to his deteriorating mental health and lack of medication.
Brooke Morrison recounted that police had initially arrested Steyn following an assault on January 15, but he was later released on bail.
Over the subsequent two weeks, he repeatedly visited the woman’s home, often when she was at work, walking between her front and back gardens and peering through windows, which prompted her to cover one window with a sheet.
On January 25, beginning at 8 a.m., Steyn paced in her garden for about 20 to 30 minutes before gathering a weight and smashing a kitchen window.
He then entered the house through the broken window as she fled outside.
On January 30, he caused intimidation during a visit to her workplace and was later seen running towards her house while she was driving home.
Once she arrived, Steyn walked around her residence, shouted at her, and put his hand through her letterbox.
She called the police, and when Steyn ran off, he returned after officers had left, shouting through the letterbox until police caught him.
Kutte acknowledged that Steyn accepted causing the woman distress and emotional upset.
